Although the craziness of GDC has already packed and moved on, Nintendo generously stuck around San Francisco to cater to their most loyal fans.

“This is for the fans,” explained Denise Kaigler, Vice President of Corporate Affairs at Nintendo of America.

The event was held on March 28 – a Saturday night – and was showcased as “World 1-2,” aptly named after the underground level in the original Super Mario Bros. game. Nintendo staff were unable disclose information regarding how guests were contacted or why they were invited. World 1-2 is the first of its kind and while Kaigler was unsure of holding it annually, there may be similar events held across the country.

There were approximately 50 gamers in attendance and the event was extremely secretive until its unveiling. Fans were able to preview two games on the Wii — Punch-Out!! (scheduled for release on May 18) and ExciteBots (scheduled for release on April 20) — and Rhythm Heaven on the Nintendo DSi (scheduled for release on April 5). Upon exiting the event, we were given a free Nintendo bag which contained a mug and stickers. Cool.

“It was pretty cool,” said Israel Hernandez, one of the founders of Super Smash Bears at the University of California, Berkeley. “I won Pokemon Platinum. But where’s my DSi? And where’s Beyonce?”